Harding v R [2013] NSWSC 513

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Harding v R [2013] NSWSC 513 Hearing dates: 05/04/2013, 16/05/2013 Decision date: 16 May 2013 Jurisdiction: Common Law - Criminal Before: Garling J Decision: Sentenced to a term of imprisonment of: (a) A non-parole period of 20 years and 3 months commencing on 14 February 2011 and concluding on 13 May 2031. (b) A balance of term of 6 years and 9 months commencing on 14 May 2031 and concluding on 13 February 2038. The first day upon which Mr Harding will be eligible to be released is 13 May 2031 Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - murder - sentencing - guilty plea -whether offence is a worst case category - whether sentence of life imprisonment should be imposed - consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors - very serious criminality but falling short of worst case - no general point of principle Legislation Cited: Crimes (High Risk Offenders) Act 2006 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Crimes Act 1900 Cases Cited: DS v Regina [2012] NSWCCA 159 Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Lowe v The Queen [1984] HCA 46; (1984) 154 CLR 606 Mill v The Queen [1988] HCA 70; (1988) 166 CLR 59 Pearce v The Queen [1988] HCA 57 (1998) 194 CLR 610 R v Previtera [1997] 94 A Crim R 76 R v Twala (unreported, Court of Criminal Appeal, 4 November 1994) R v MacDonell (NSWCCA, 8 December 1995, unreported) Category: Sentence Parties: The Crown David Allen Harding (Accused) Representation: Counsel: P Barrett (Crown) R Wilson (Accused) Solicitors: Legal Aid Commission (Accused) File Number(s): 11/50034